Conductor/Engineer duty time limits

[Groundpounder]

What are the duty time limits for train crew, and is it different between freight and passenger service?

Just for comparison purposes, flight crews are limited to 10 hours of flying per day, with 14 hours of duty (there is a lot more to it than that, but that is the cliff notes version)

Thanks.

 

[xyzzy]

It's complicated http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&rgn=div5&view=text&node=49:4.1.1.1.22&idno=49#se49.4.228_17

The basic answer is 12 hours, followed by a rest period. Note that Subpart F, starting at §228.401, has somewhat different provisions for passenger service employees.

 

[Groundpounder]

Thanks for the info

 

[Dutchrailnut]

Maximum number of hours worked it 12, the max hours on duty is 16, if a crew got a 4 hour rest period(interim release).

If the crew is deadheaded to work location, the travel time is part of on duty time, the deadhead going home, is called limbo time.

it counts not as on duty time, but does not count towards rest either.

The crew get 8 hour rest, in that 8 hour the crew can be called to give them their next on duty time.

If a crew outlaws (exceeds 12 hours on duty) they get 10 hours rest.

 

[Groundpounder]

Maximum number of hours worked it 12, the max hours on duty is 16, if a crew got a 4 hour rest period(interim release).

If the crew is deadheaded to work location, the travel time is part of on duty time, the deadhead going home, is called limbo time.

it counts not as on duty time, but does not count towards rest either.

The crew get 8 hour rest, in that 8 hour the crew can be called to give them their next on duty time.

If a crew outlaws (exceeds 12 hours on duty) they get 10 hours rest.

"deadheading" is the crew riding as a passenger on another train, correct?

8 hours of rest is not much, speaking from personal experience. 10 hours of rest sometimes isn't enough either.

 

[the_traveler]

Correct.

 

[amtkstn]

Either a crew rides in a another freight train or are hauled by a contracted van service for a deadhead. There are two main companies that provide that service.

 

[greatcats]

It is also common to observe freight crews deadheading on Amtrak trains, such as points between Winslow and Needles.

 

[TheTuck]

Deadheading TO an assignment counts towards your 12 hour maximum, whereas deadheading home does not, however deadhead time cannot count towards any rest period either. I believe employees in freight service must have uninterrupted rest before their next call. This does not exist in passenger service.